News: crafting

By Gen Cohen

11 Edible Slime Recipes Your Kids Will Want to Make Right This Minute

By Gen Cohen

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By Gen Cohen

10 WTF Surprises of Being a New Mom That You'll Never Read in Any Book

By Gen Cohen

Like most women, I was nervous about becoming a mom and worried a lot about what it would be like. I tried to prepare myself as best I could, and while I didn't read all the baby books, I definitely asked around. Before I gave birth, I knew I might be surprised by the challenges of breastfeeding and the weird noises my newborn would make in her sleep. I heard all about the squeeze bottle I'd soon keep by the toilet. And I was warned to get my sleep in now.

But there are some things I realized soon after becoming a mom that no one ever told me and I certainly didn't find while flipping through What to Expect When You're Expecting, or even when reading articles online chronicling the "37 Most Shocking Things You Never Knew About Motherhood." Here, 10 of the real WTF surprises and pieces of advice for first time moms.

1. You Won't Care Who Sees Your Boobs
Image Source: Flickr user Chris Alban Hansen

After you've had about 10 medical professionals staring into your vagina under the harsh lights of a delivery room, your sense of modesty changes. And when you start breastfeeding, no matter how easy or hard, you just want to get the job done, and you don't always want to leave the couch or sit in a dirty public restroom.

My dad, my mother-in-law, my best friend's boyfriend, a co-worker, a perfect stranger at the aquarium . . . Only two people on this list have yet to see my boobs, and I can't say I'd give a crap if they did.

2. You Will No Longer Consider It Rude to Check Your Phone
Image Source: Flickr user BuzzFarmers

I used to admonish friends who were constantly checking their phone over dinner, but after one rare night out in which I checked mine as the bill arrived, only to see a stream of 17 text messages from my husband, I've loosened up.

Next time you see a table of people at a restaurant, all with their faces glowing inches above their iPhones, don't shake your head and declare the end of civilization. Maybe they are all just trying to make sure their babies are still alive.

3. You'll Have Inconsistent Cleanliness Habits
Image Source: Flickr user kittenfc

Were you a "neat freak" before you had the baby? Well, get ready: you will soon have poop on your cheek and not even care! That's what scores of moms told me. They also said that if you weren't that into sanitizing, having a baby may turn you into the Purell police.

I've actually found that your cleanliness just becomes incredibly inconsistent. I keep the nursery room spotless and organized, but my clean clothes are now in an indiscernible pile of also-dirty clothes. I scrub baby bottles with a specially designated brush and overpriced soap, but I let our pet dog lick my baby's hands. None of it makes any sense.

4. You'll Post Unflattering Photos of Yourself
Image Source: Flickr user quinn.anya

In the age where every photo has a filter (and maybe a little photoshopping), it's rare that you'll allow the general public to see you looking anything but your best — hair done, glasses off, lipstick applied. However, there's no greater sacrifice a mother can make than posting an awful picture of herself in deference to the cuteness of her baby.

Also, if you haven't taken selfies before, you will now.

5. Your Body Will Seem Like Undiscovered Territory
Image Source: Flickr user khelvan

Remember going back home after your first year away at college and feeling like everything was the same but slightly worse? Welcome to your postpartum body. About four weeks after I'd had my baby, I discovered I had stretch marks. On my butt. I still don't know what was more surprising: that you could get stretch marks there, or that I didn't notice them for a solid month.

6. You'll Remember All the Times You Were Super Judgey
Image Source: Flickr user hyku

Just get the "sorry for . . . " emails ready. Before I got pregnant, I had an opinion about everything. Name a debate, I had a side in it: Stay-at-home vs. working moms. Breastfeeding vs. formula. Attachment parenting vs. normal parenting. (Yeah, sorry about that.) Now, I do for my own baby what I think is best for us, and I stay the hell out of other families' business. The one thing you can count on is that the minute you think you have it all figured out, it changes.

7. You Won't Lose as Much Weight as You Thought You Would
Image Source: Flickr user Abnehmen

At least not at first. Yes, of course you do drop a sizable amount of pounds right after the birth, but just be prepared to plateau for awhile. And all this talk in your childbirth classes about the weight-loss benefits of breastfeeding? It happens, I'm sure, but don't expect it to click right away. It takes time (we're talking months) to start seeing that scale move, even a single pound, in a good direction.

8, You'll Get Jealous About the Weirdest Things
Image Source: Flickr user thebaphotography

I remember my husband calling out to get my assistance in the nursery room because our daughter had peed while he was changing her diaper. I was so mad that I missed seeing it! My husband got to see her pee and I didn't! And when my baby let out her first belly laugh, my best friend was holding her. What a sweet moment for them. As for the happy family in this photo? You can bet that mom is secretly pissed that that dude gets to be the one holding her baby.

9. Your Facebook Feed Will Be All Baby, All the Time
Image Source: Flickr user Alli Worthington

After giving birth, I found myself casually posting about 47 baby photos and liking (for the first time) other people's mom-related posts. A few days later, it seemed people were posting a lot more baby photos! I also seemed to be getting a lot more parenting-related articles popping up in my feed. Had everyone jumped on the baby train at the same time I did?!

No, they didn't. Facebook is scary smart, and it uses a highly complicated algorithm that can tell I'm really into babies now. The bad news is that my feed has been taken over by the one thing I used to be annoyed by. The good news is I love it!

10. Nothing You're Doing Wrong Now Really Matters
Image Source: Flickr user bradkeb

And, really, you probably aren't even doing anything "wrong." I currently know plenty of gainfully employed, happily married people who were dropped as babies. One of my closest friends was a month premature. Another friend of mine apparently cried 15 hours of the day for the first three months of his life, and he's still pretty cool.

And as for that whole "breast is best" pressure? I had a friend who had a terrible time with breastfeeding and felt awful about it. Don't feel awful about it. In six months, your kid will be eating with a spoon and this will all be a distant memory. And, hey, for the most part, I was formula fed, and I'd like to think I turned out OK.

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By Gen Cohen

23 Super Bowl Onesies For the Tiniest Football Fan

By Gen Cohen

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By Gen Cohen

18 Easy Christmas Crafts, Ornaments and Gifts

By Gen Cohen

This list is popping with inspiration, just like our fun kids' sunglasses are popping with color, and they fit perfectly under the tree, too! Check out our blue color changing sunglasses that will delight kids of all ages! Cute Christmas ornament crafts and gifts kids can make from our favorite craft blogs. 

Tags: Crafts, Christmas

By Lauren Passell

Soft Ball
Use up leftover fabric to make these unique ornaments from Everyday Beautiful. No two will be the same!

Photo Frenzy
If you want to take your snapshots to the next level, whip up these memory globes from Little Pink Monster, perfect for your mantle or as a gift for grandparents. Kids will love picking out photos and decorating their own.

Shoe In
Did you know you can make advent calendar out of a hanging shoe rack? Start collecting odds and ends to create this countdown-to-Christmas door decoration from Whimsy Love.

Can It
Tin cans are transformed into gorgeous, vintage-y looking ornaments in this easy project from Salsa Pie. Perfect to give to Grandma!

Pony Up
Here's a DIY craft for pony lovers! This felt pony farm from Smashed Peas and Carrots can be folded up so it's perfect for on-the-go. And her pony collection fits perfectly in the side pockets.

Have a Ball
For an easy project you can make from what you have in your recycling bin, try one of these pretty paper bulbs from How About Orange. Use wrapping paper or magazine pages to make the ornaments pop even more.

Jingle All The Way
These cute jingle bell hair clips from Little Pink Monster are fun to make and even more fun to wear. They're perfect for Christmas parties or to wear all season lon

Sweet!
Using real candies and yarn, you can brighten up the Christmas tree (or any nook in your house that needs some holiday cheer) with this sweet crocheted candy garland from Dollar Store Crafts.

Pin-Up
Old fashioned clothespins make great ornaments, and they only cost a few pennies each. These angel ornaments from Dollar Store Crafts can be decorated any way your kids can think up.

Stockings in a Flash
These stockings from Prudent Baby look like they're straight out of a catalog, but they can be whipped up in 15 minutes and require minimal sewing skills. 

Tag, You're It
These personalized photo gift tags from Fireflies and Jelly Beans are so cool they might get more attention than the gift. Use brown grocery bag for a vintage look.

Scrap That
Using fabrics scraps, you can make these pretty handmade notes from Smashed Peas and Carrots for a heartfelt way to say "Happy Holidays" or "Thank You".

Snow Daze
If subtle cheer is more your holiday style, try making these wooden snowflake ornamentsfrom The Crafty Crow. They're minimalist chic and easy to make.

Home Sweet Home
Here’s a sweet idea from Dollar Store Crafts: Pick up porcelain houses for a buck each at the craft store to make a pretty painted Christmas village. Kids will love adding their own touches, like feathers, glitter and fur.

Tech Cozy
Here's something kids can make for Dad that will bring back fond memories. This Etch-a-Sketch iPad cozy from Smashed Peas and Carrots is practical and will bring back memories of the days when he was writing Santa.

Tree Huggers
These ribbon trees from Fireflies and Jelly Beans are super easy to create, and make a big cheery focal point for your home. Make one or a whole forest, and don't forget the Christmas table centerpiece!

Take Note
These cute, colorful notebooks from the craft blog Whimsy Love, made from leftover paint chips, make great stocking stuffers.

Say Cheese!
We love to get Christmas cards in the mail, and these homemade photo ornaments from Fireflies and Jelly Beans are a great way to re-use them instead of throwing them away. Paste on a family pic to make it even more personal.

Gumdrop Snowflakes
Use your favorite gumdrop colors to make fun paterned snowflakes with toothpicks. 

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By Gen Cohen

22 Outdoor Activities Perfect For Fall Weekends

By Gen Cohen

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